Google’s new Pixel 11 series comes next week – here’s what we know from leaks

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Details of the upcoming Pixel 11 lineup have leaked.
• Upgrades are coming to the chipset and modem.
• It’s yet to be seen how much value the new HiLight feature will bring.

While the actual reveal is less than a week away, the majority of specs and details for the upcoming Google Pixel 11 series have already leaked. It might not seem like a huge upgrade from the 10 series at first glance, and the physical redesign is minimal, but there are definitely some things to be excited about once you dive in.

Also: The new Pixel 11 isn’t enough to make me give up my Pixel 9 Pro – here’s why

I haven’t decided yet if I’m upgrading, as my Pixel 9 Pro is working just fine. I don’t need an upgrade, but that certainly hasn’t stopped me before. Here’s a look at what we know about the Pixel 11. 

What’s new with the Pixel 11 series

1. New colors

Like last year, there are four new models: the Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Fold. The 11 is available in hibiscus, pistachio, obsidian, and frost colors, while the Pro and Fold variants get softer colors like dune, pine, and light Fog. I don’t love that some colors are limited to specific variants of the phone, but I do like the soft colors.

2. Pixel Glow, but with a new name

As expected, a color-changing LED light circle that replaces the traditional flashlight/flash is a big selling point of this year’s lineup. After being unofficially billed as “Pixel Glow” for several months though, the feature appears to have a new name – HiLight. 

It’s still not clear exactly what these lights are for, though. I was intrigued when I first saw mention of this feature a few months ago, as I’ve been trying to limit my phone time. Having a color-coded alert would help me decide if an alert is worth my attention. 

Also: Is the new (pricier) Pixel 11 series still a good value compared to Samsung’s Galaxy phones?

At least for now, the only leaked information is that users will be able to assign certain colors to certain contacts to see who’s calling and to see when Gemini is active. For now, I’m excited about what this could be. I can’t imagine that’s all Google has planned though, even if that ends up all it can do at the start. It’s almost certain third-party developers will figure out some tricks too, so I’m excited to see where HiLight goes.

3. New chipset

All four new Pixels will have the Tensor G6 processor and Titan M3 security coprocessor. The verdict is split as to how much of an upgrade this will be, but it should at least provide cooler operation (previous Pixels notoriously ran hot at times), better power consumption and better performance for heavy tasks. There have been some claims that leaked marketing material show the Pixel 11 charging at a blistering pace – up to 55% in 5 minutes – but the folks over at Phone Arena find that claim dubious.

4. New modem, better battery life

One very common complaint about Pixel phones, and one I’ve experienced myself, is unexplained battery drain. The Pixel 11 lineup is reportedly switching to a MediaTek M90 modem that uses an AI-powered traffic engine to reduce power consumption by as much as 18% and increase potential download speeds.

Also: I’ve been a Google phone diehard for 10 years – here’s my 5-part wishlist for Pixel 11

Now, all of these upgrades are coming with a price. As my colleague Jack Wallen pointed out, the Pixel 11 lineup is coming in with a high price point. The Pro starts at just under $1,100. The Pixel 11 doesn’t look like a drastic improvement over the 10 series, so if that’s what you’re currently using, there might not be a lot enticing you to upgrade.